Windows Vista to 8 Free Steady State Option Found
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I just wanted to let everyone know that I have been looking to create a steady state on windows 7 pro machines without a server or domain and I found many solutions that were over $100.00 per computer, but I recently found one that I have tried and am completely satisfied with. Here is the best part it is 100% free. Here is a link to the software http://www.horizondatasys.com/en/products_and_solutions.aspx?ProductId=18. Before anyone says anything I know I can create a steady state in 7 using the guide from Microsoft but reading that document makes my head spin. Microsoft found the most ridiculous instructions possible and put them together in a 20+ page document and said here you go... good luck. The best way I have found to use this software is as follows: 1) Configure windows exactly the way you want it 2) Install the software but do not reboot when it asks. 3) Enter msconfig and disable shield from startup {shield adds an icon in the system tray that gives you the option to disable restore on reboot} 4) Create a scheduled task to reboot the machine once a day typically at night or some time when no one is using the system. 5) Once you are completely ready restart the PC... During reboot it will create the steady state and you are all good. With every reboot the system goes back the way it was and no user can disable it. Lets say you want to update the system. on reboot tap the home button and that will disable rollbacks and you can update the base system. I have used this on 10 workstations and my support calls have dropped in half. This also works below windows so if the system is "unbootable" a restart will bring it back if that makes any sense at all. Just thought I would share.
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:-)
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James,
Thanks for posting this. We have used a few different products like this over the years (EAZ-Fix, Baseline Shield, Deep Freeze, etc), but this is the first one I have seen that supports Windows 8.
Thanks again,
Don